[Milsurplus] Edison/Tesla battle finally ends in NYC.

[Brooke Clarke]

Hi John:

I think if you got the polarity wrong the filaments would light, but no harm 
would come to the radio, so just plug in the other way.

Hi Bob:

It seems that automotive electrical systems are based on the 2 volt lead acid 
cell.  At first "6 volt" and later "12 volt" versions.  The military electrical 
systems are twice an automotive "12 volt" or "24 volts".  Aircraft systems are 
called "14 volt" or "28 volt" but are really identical to the "12 volt" and "24 
volt" systems.

The reason for the quote marks is to emphasize that these are not actual 
voltages, but rather system names.  The actual voltage you measure depends on 
if the battery is dead then it's 12 volts, charged and sitting with no load 
then it's 13.something, or being charged then it's 14.something.  The last one 
is the case when an airplane is flying, hence the "14 volt" system name.

George Westinghouse was selling an A.C. based street lighting system in 
competition with Edison's DC system.  It was much more efficient because of the 
use of transformers.  A.C. generators are easier to make than DC generators. 
The bit that Tesla provided was the A.C. motor.  But he also invented many 
improvements to all of the electrical system.  For a short list of his patents 
see my Electro-magnetic Toy Engine web page (check out the videos of the toy 
motor running) at: http://www.prc68.com/I/EM_ToyEngine.shtml

The name "Toy Engine", coined at or prior to 1908, was chosen for an electrical 
motor that imitated the operation of an engine.  Note an engine works by heat, 
i.e. steam engine, gasoline engine, diesel engine.  Motors operate from a 
source of energy other than heat, i.e. starter motor, air motor, etc.

-- 
Have Fun,

Brooke Clarke
http://www.PRC68.com
http://www.precisionclock.com
http://www.prc68.com/I/WebCam2.shtml 24/7 Sky-Weather-Astronomy Cam